Why study health policy and administration?

Why study health policy and administration at Washington State University?

What careers are available in health policy and administration?

What kind of salary can I expect to earn in the field of health administration?

What's the WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program?

What preparation do I need to study Health Policy and Administration at Washington State University?

What are the admission requirements?

Are there additional requirements for international students?

Are there any prerequisite courses required?

How long will it take to complete my degree and when can I start?

Is the internship required?

What's the difference between a required graduate project and an optional thesis?

How much is tuition at Washington State University?

What kinds of financial aid or scholarships are available?

What can you tell me about the Spokane area?

Who do I contact for additional information?

Why study health policy and administration? 

Health care is a 1.7 trillion dollar industry, 15.3% of GDP, projected to reach $2 trillion by 2008 and 16% of GDP. The aging of the Baby Boom assures continued steep growth. Between 1998 and 2008, the health care industry will provide one-seventh of new jobs in the U.S. In 1998, general managers and top executives constituted 90,000 of the 597,000 holding managerial, administrative, and executive positions in health services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates need for a 33% increase in health services managers in the next decade and a 30% increase in top executives, or 6,000 health services managers annually and 3,000 top managers.

Why study health policy and administration at Washington State University?

The Program is accredited by CAHME (Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education) formerly ACEHSA (Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Administration).  According to the Directory of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA),  "[CAHME] is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) which oversees accreditation of the nation's colleges and universities, and by the Department of Education, as the only accrediting agency in the field of health services administration.  Accreditation by [CAHME] is the most important assurance that a graduate program meets the quality standards developed by the profession and the health services industry...  Benefits of accreditation include:  access to scholarship and special project grants funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; availability of certain residency positions; fees and dues reductions for recent graduates from professional organizations such as ACHE (American College of Healthcare Executives), and eligibility for Full Graduate Membership status in AUPHA among others."

The Washington State University Health Policy and Administration Program is the only CAHME-accredited Program admitted to the WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP).  According to WICHE, "The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) consists of very high quality masters and doctoral degree programs which tend not to be widely available throughout the West."

To be admitted to WRGP, the WSU HPA Program had to meet criteria of distinctiveness and demonstrated quality.  "WRGP is particularly strong in two areas:  programs targeted to the emerging social, environmental, and resource development needs of the West, and innovative interdisciplinary programs."

Washington State University is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive institution, the highest level of research university designation.

What careers are available in health policy and administration?

In the provider segment:  leadership roles in hospitals, physician group practices, nursing homes, and home health agencies.  In the insurance segment:  insurance companies and HMOs are experiencing tremendous growth.  In the supplier segment:  with companies that make disposable supplies and equipment, pharmaceutical companies and consulting firms.  In federal, state or local agencies or associations shaping health care policy:  state health departments, private foundations, federal programs, or national associations, such as the Red Cross or the American Hospital Association.

What kind of salary can I expect to earn in the field of health administration?

The AUPHA (Association of University Programs in Health Administration) 2000-2001 Education Survey found that for profit organization starting salaries of new graduates averaged $65,766 with a range from $50,000-$100,000. The Health Care Group's Salary Survey 2001 lists an average salary for an Administrator or Executive Director with less than two years of service at $65,850 and a high of $156,000. The Hay Group reports that, on average, hospital CEOs will earn total cash packages of $242,000; chief operating officers: $165,900; chief financial officers: $145,300; managed care directors: $121,500.

What is the WICHE Western Regional Graduate Program?

According to WICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education), "The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) consists of very high quality masters and doctoral degree programs which tend not to be widely available throughout the West."  Admission of the Washington State University Health Policy and Administration Program to WICHE WRGP means that residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to enroll at Washington resident rates of tuition.

To be admitted to WRGP, the WSU HPA Program had to meet criteria of distinctiveness and demonstrated quality.  "WRGP is particularly strong in two areas:  programs targeted to the emerging social, environmental, and resource development needs of the West, and innovative interdisciplinary programs."

What preparation do I need to study health policy and administration  at Washington State University?

Students enter the Program with a variety of undergraduate degrees, ranging from business and public administration, public policy studies, pre-law, or communications to biology, pre-medicine, or health service administration.  Some of our students use the M.H.P.A. degree to enhance their credentials for successful application to law school or medical school.

What are the admission requirements?

Admission standards conform to the requirements of the Washington State University Graduate School.  An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better is expected.  GRE or GMAT scores are required for admission to the Health Policy and Administration Program, except for applicants holding a professional doctoral degree (e.g. M.D., J.D., D.D.S.) or a Ph.D. from a U.S. accredited school.  Significant weight is given to GRE aptitude (verbal and quantitative combined) total scores of at least 1000, or a GMAT aptitude score of at least 500.  However, indications of academic ability as expressed by undergraduate grade point average and professional experience will be of greater importance than specific undergraduate background and GRE or GMAT scores.

A letter of intent and introduction indicating career goals, commitment to a health care profession, and any distinctions in professional activity should be submitted to the Department Chair with application forms.  The letter should include a discussion of the student's educational background, experiences related to health policy or management, and professional interests.

Three original letters of recommendation must be submitted to the Department Chair to help the Program assess the quality of the student's academic and work experiences.

Students may be admitted to the Program following satisfactory completion of the above requirements.  Before students may enroll in the Program, they must satisfy two undergraduate prerequisites.  The prerequisites are a basic financial accounting course, microeconomics, and computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet competence).  Students without such preparation will be expected to take the necessary introductory work in addition to the required curriculum.  Prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in any Health Policy and Administration courses.  Please contact the Program for self study programs and a listing of classes available in the area that will meet Program prerequisite requirements.

Are there additional requirements for international students?

International students must submit an official TOEFL or MELAB score report.  International students must also submit the completed Certificate of Financial Responsibility.  Self-supporting students must include official bank verification of adequate funds. 

Are there any prerequisite courses required?

Before students may enroll in the Program, they must satisfy two undergraduate prerequisites.  The prerequisites are a basic financial accounting course, microeconomics, and computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet competence).  Students without such preparation will be expected to take the necessary introductory work in addition to the required curriculum.  Prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in any Health Policy and Administration courses.  Please contact the Program for self study programs and a listing of classes available in the area that will meet Program prerequisite requirements.

How long will it take to complete my degree and when can I start?

The 50 semester hour Program can be completed full time or part time, full time taking approximately 2 years to complete and part time in  3-6 years.  The majority of the courses are offered in the evenings, Monday-Thursday nights 5:30 - 8:00 PM.  The 50 hours includes 39 credits of introductory, core, and capstone courses; 5 credits of electives; 3 credits of internship; and 3 credits for a graduate project or 5 credits for a thesis.  Students may start in the fall or spring semester or the summer session, however full time students who wish to complete within two years should start in the fall semester, otherwise the program might take 2 1/2 - 3 years to complete.

Is the internship required?

The Program requires a 3 credit (192 contact hour) internship experience.  (However, students may take up to 5 credit hours of internship.)  The internship is taken in a health care setting under the supervision of a core faculty member and a community preceptor with advanced qualifications and experience in health care.  The internship is tailored to individual student needs and may be modified for students with extensive administrative experience in a health care setting.  Some internships are paid positions.

What's the difference between a required graduate project and an optional thesis?

The required graduate project (3 credits) or optional thesis (5 credits) will consist of a unique investigation selected by the student and faculty advisors.  The Graduate Project is distinguished from the Graduate Thesis in several important ways.  First, the Graduate Project is a participatory, applied project rather than research per se.  Second, the Graduate Project is the application of findings of research and scholarly activity to real-world problems.  Third, the Graduate Project is more likely to be disseminated in the form of articles in trade journals, case studies for use in teaching materials, articles published through local and/or state media, or reports to be submitted to appropriate people and organizations.

The Graduate Project is designed as an integrative experience for students, requiring that they connect and apply concepts and tools mastered throughout the MHPA program to important real-world situations.  Second, the Graduate Project is designed to contribute to students' marketability by providing a structured opportunity for students to demonstrate their initiative, their ability to integrate concepts and skills into a cohesive project, and their leadership and management skills in working effectively on a team and adding value as a member of that team.  All of these skills are highly valued by managers in health and health care in today's environment.

For thesis information, see Health Policy and Administration Policies and Procedures, p. 12.

How much is tuition at Washington State University?

Graduate tuition at Washington State University for the Spring 2007 term is $3533 for full time (10-18 credits) residents.  Full time non-resident students will pay $8602.  Part time resident students (fewer than 10 credits) will pay $353 per credit hour; non-residents, $860 per credit hour.  For additional information about tuition and fees, see Student Accounts.

What kinds of financial aid or scholarships are available?

Qualified students may apply for assistantships, scholarships (e.g., Foster G. McGaw Scholarship), fellowships (e.g., Abbott Fellowship through Association of University Programs in Health Administration), and loans from Program, public and private sources.  All Health Policy and Administration applicants are provided with a "Fellowship and/or Assistantship" application with their admission packet and encouraged to apply.  Please contact Liz West of Washington State University  Spokane Enrollment Services for additional financial aid and scholarship information (509-358-7534).

What can you tell me about the Spokane area?

Spokane is a city of 410,700 with excellent cultural amenities.  Spokane is the center of the Inland Northwest region and adjacent to the mountain ranges, lakes, and rivers of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana, providing excellent skiing, boating, rafting, fishing, camping, hiking, tennis, and golfing opportunities.

Housing and other costs of living are significantly lower than the East and West Coasts, and the Program offers very competitive public, rather than private, university tuition rates.

Spokane boasts a large medical community with tertiary care facilities serving the populations of eastern Washington, north Idaho, and western Montana.  Spokane has the largest medical community between Seattle, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Calgary.  The health services industry is the largest service sector employer in the area.  Thirteen hospitals and medical centers of various types and ownership are located in the Spokane area.

In November 2001, the Department of Health Policy and Administration moved into a brand-new $36 million 144,000-square-foot facility, the Health Sciences Building, on the beautiful Riverpoint Higher Education Campus near downtown, bordered by the walking/biking Centennial Trail and the Spokane River.  Depending on your Western driving rate, Spokane is 4-5 hours from Seattle, 4-5 hours from Glacier National Park and 6-7 hours from Yellowstone National Park.

Who do I contact for additional information?

Contact Department of Health Policy and Administration Academic Coordinator, De Martin, (509-358-7987) for additional information.